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Oud is not new in the Middle East, India, and Southeast Asia, its usage having spanned centuries, but the rest of the world has also caught up.
This highly potent scent is warm and woody, derived from a fragrant resin produced by agar, a tropical tree grown in India and Southeast Asia. It smells subtly of damp rot, though some varieties can be smoky-sweet.
Ranking high among the best oud fragrances in the market is Dior Oud Ispahan. So, if you are ready to venture on an olfactory journey, read this Dior Oud Ispahan review.
What’s the Story?
Oud Ispahan Dior was released in 2012 by the French fashion house, Christian Dior, claiming its rightful place as one of its most outstanding olfactive achievements. Indeed, it forms part of an exclusive and luxurious fragrance line known as La Collection Privée.
The nose behind this fragrance was Francois Demachy, who used thoughtfully-chosen raw materials to formulate the classic accords of this oriental, woody fragrance. Guided by a spirit of travel and innovation, he created the classic unisex accords of a powerful blend of intoxicating scents reminiscent of a plush oriental palace.
The result? A sophisticated, unique, powerful, and unforgettable fragrance. For Oud Ispahan fans, the perfume is instantly recognizable from its uncompromising aroma that highlights its spicy, woody character.
Dior Oud Ispahan EDP presents a contemporary and enchanting spin on the colors and aromas that inspired the perfumer Demachy to craft this designer cologne.
Its oriental identity is easy to deduce from the olfactory interpretation of an opulent oriental palace bathed in hints of soft florals, resin, and frankincense scents.
Dior Oud Ispahan EDP
Our Verdict of Dior Oud Ispahan EDP
Presentation
Dior Oud Ispahan is presented in the classical elegance and key attention to detail befitting a member of La Collection Privée. The rosy-hued fragrance comes packaged in a chic, minimalistic, and aesthetically pleasing transparent glass bottle designed by Hedi Slimane, a fashion visionary.
The cylindrical bottle features a slick magnetic cap engraved with the easily recognizable Christian Dior logo and the product name imprinted on the bottle.
Christian Dior Oud Ispahan is available in a variety of sizes These include:
- A small-sized 40ml (1.35 ounces) bottle
- The classic size, a 125 ml (4.22 ounces) bottle
- The biggest size is a whopping 450ml (15.21 ounces)
For the ultimate oud experience, the fragrance also comes accompanied by a liquid soap and hydrating body lotion – all bearing the oud essence.
Scent
Oud sports a powerfully compelling, musky scent. It is an extremely pricey perfume ingredient that perfumers value highly due to its warm, sweet, balsamic, and woody notes.
In perfumes, oud typically forms part of the base notes, and these often remain on your skin for longer. This means that if someone wears a fragrance featuring an oud base, you are likely to sniff the oud aroma hours after they apply the scent.
It’s an oriental, woody, smoky, and floral blend, dominated by a masculine yet sophisticated combination of wood and rose. It’s like the scent of an oriental prince, with a trail of smoky, burning woods
If you don’t like floral fragrances, the initial scent might put you off since the floral scent is pretty strong (in the opening). However, it dries out to a pleasant aroma.
That said, if you love oud, you are likely to adore this oud-rose combo. In fact, it could turn out to be an absolute favorite.
This perfume is far from overwhelming, given that it is not your typical strong oud fragrance.
Instead, the master perfumer, Demachy, uses oud’s woody, resinous qualities accentuated with rose, sandalwood, and cedar notes to create a remarkable silky-smooth woody, rosy ambery, spicy profile. The perfume ends with a saffron aftertaste.
Performance
This oud fragrance boasts an above-average projection and longevity. The exceptional scent, whose noticeable trail is solid and long-lasting, lasts the whole day and lingers till the morning after. What’s more, it sports a deep, warm, and sensual smell that’s quite captivating.
For me, it lasts up to 10 hours, and let me tell you, a little goes a long way. A cautionary note – be mindful when spraying it on clothes; it’s not easy to wash off.
As mentioned earlier, the oud scent is quite durable, complementing your skin and lingering for hours after application. As such, you don’t need to reapply your perfume at any time during the day. Besides, it’s an Eau de Parfum, meaning it’s highly concentrated.
Versatility
Oud Ispahan is a gender-neutral perfume that you can wear day and night, all year round, but more so in winter.
Due to its strong sillage, I probably wouldn’t recommend it for an office setting as it could be overpowering.
Thanks to its seductive, exclusive, and stylish essence, it’s perfect for dates or occasions when you want to make an impression.
Overall
Dior Oud Ispahan EDP is a highly sensual, intensely captivating cologne that evokes the orient in a powerful fusion of oud accords and velvety soft rose.
Oozing splendor and opulence, this scent is ideal for someone looking for a unique, high-quality, and luxurious oud fragrance that doesn’t come off too heavily.
The well-balanced notes – not too strong or feminine – also make it ideal for both men and women and a favorite for people who favor a unisex scent.
Oud Ispahan perfume is rather pricey, so be ready to dig a bit deeper into your pockets to get your hands on this exclusive scent.
Top Notes: Labdanum
Middle Notes: Patchouli, Rose, Saffron
Base Notes: Oud Sandalwood, Cedar
Pros
- A sophisticated, charming, and uncompromising scent
- Unforgettable and intensely captivating
- Luxurious and ultra-sophisticated
- Unisex
- Long Lasting
Cons
- The oud scent might not appeal to everyone
- It is pricey